Eliminating the “Left Overs”

Eliminating the “Left Overs”

Introduction:

Society enjoys keeping its options open rather than making binding commitments. Reluctance to make binding commitments is also seen in religion. There are many “religious” people – but little commitment above the minimums. Little commitment & minimal service have a strong grip on the church that is hampering church growth & prosperity. Whether we wish to admit it or not – we are squeezing spiritual service out of our lives. Gospel requires commitment of the highest order – Lk. 9:57-62 Some Christians must awake; arise; and strengthen the things that remain & increase service to the King.

I. Eliminating the Left-overs:

A. Poor _______________. Heb. 10:25

B. poor _____________-___________________ – Eph. 5:15-17

C. Poor ________ – God’s portion should come first. 2 Cor. 9:6-7; 1 Cor. 16:1-2

D. Those in leadership capacities w/in the congregation must be aware of their responsibility! __________________ in work & diligence are expected!

1. Leadership requires ______________ – not mere ________________!

II. These are merely symptoms of a much greater problem:

A. Such as:

1. A _______ relationship w/God; A lessened amount of _____ for Jesus

2. a low appreciation of our _________; A weak desire to go to _______.

III. Congregations that do not want leftover service must help individuals build better relationships w/Jesus.

A. Must change our _______________.

1. Do I serve God because I ____ to? Or…because I feel that I ____ to?

2. Rom. 6:17 – Romans obeyed from the ___________. So must we!

B. We will serve God when we realize how much we _________ Him.

1. We need Him to _____________ us of our sins – Eph. 2:8-10

2. We need Him to ____________ our burdens – Mt. 11:28-30

3. We need Him because the devil is ___________ –1 Pet. 5:8-9

C. We will want to serve God when we realize the ______________ of our sin.

1. What does God think of sin? Psa. 5:4-6; Pro. 3:32; 11:20

a) Pictured as _____________ to the soul – Isa. 1:18; Psa. 51:7

b) Sin must become something ________________ to us!

1) Psa. 26:5; 101:3-4; 119:104; Pro. 29:27

D. We will want to serve God when we fully ________________ Jesus’ sacrifice.

1. Rom. 5:8-10; 1 John 4:10 Eph. 1:6-8 – note: he _____________ on us.

2. How much are we willing to demonstrate our appreciation?

E. We will want to serve God when we take time to ___________ about Him.

1. God gives us opportunity to know Him through His ______. 2 Tim. 2:15

Conclusion:

A. Will you today make a personal promise to:

1. No longer give God the leftovers? Faithfully attend every service possible? Give cheerfully & abundantly?

B. The better relationship w/God – the better our service will be!



Eliminating the “Left Overs” Introduction: Society enjoys keeping its options open rather than making binding commitments. Reluctance to make binding commitments is also seen in religion. There are many “religious” people – but little commitment above the minimums. Little commitment & minimal service have a strong grip on the church that is hampering church growth & prosperity. Whether we wish to admit it or not – we are squeezing spiritual service out of our lives. Gospel requires commitment of the highest order – Lk. 9:57-62 Some Christians must awake; arise; and strengthen the things that remain & increase service to the King. I. Eliminating the Left-overs: A. Poor _______________. Heb. 10:25 B. poor _____________-___________________ – Eph. 5:15-17 C. Poor ________ – God’s portion should come first. 2 Cor. 9:6-7; 1 Cor. 16:1-2 D. Those in leadership capacities w/in the congregation must be aware of their responsibility! __________________ in work & diligence *are expected!* 1. Leadership requires ______________ – not mere ________________! II. These are merely symptoms of a much greater problem: A. Such as: 1. A _______ relationship w/God; A lessened amount of _____ for Jesus 2. a low appreciation of our _________; A weak desire to go to _______. III. Congregations that do not want leftover service must help individuals build better relationships w/Jesus. A. Must change our _______________. 1. Do I serve God because I ____ to? Or…because I feel that I ____ to? 2. Rom. 6:17 – Romans obeyed from the ___________. So must we! B. We will serve God when we realize how much we _________ Him. 1. We need Him to _____________ us of our sins – Eph. 2:8-10 2. We need Him to ____________ our burdens – Mt. 11:28-30 3. We need Him because the devil is ___________ –1 Pet. 5:8-9 C. We will want to serve God when we realize the ______________ of our sin. 1. What does God think of sin? Psa. 5:4-6; Pro. 3:32; 11:20 a) Pictured as _____________ to the soul – Isa. 1:18; Psa. 51:7 b) Sin must become something ________________ to us! 1) Psa. 26:5; 101:3-4; 119:104; Pro. 29:27 D. We will want to serve God when we fully ________________ Jesus’ sacrifice. 1. Rom. 5:8-10; 1 John 4:10 Eph. 1:6-8 – note: he _____________ on us. 2. How much are we willing to demonstrate our appreciation? E. We will want to serve God when we take time to ___________ about Him. 1. God gives us opportunity to know Him through His ______. 2 Tim. 2:15 Conclusion: A. Will you today make a personal promise to: 1. No longer give God the leftovers? Faithfully attend every service possible? Give cheerfully & abundantly? B. The better relationship w/God – the better our service will be!